Stepladder



July 18, 1939.

STEPLADDER Filed June 16, 195% INVENTOR.

A? BY c/bHN H LJ'GON WWW ATTORNEY).

Q J H. LIGON 2,166,255 I all) Patented July 18, 1939 PATENT OFFICE STEPLADDER John H. Ligon, Anna, Ill.

Application June 16,

2 Claims.

This invention relates to what is commonly called a stepladder and one of the objects of the invention is to provide a stepladder which is rigid and dependable in construction and well adapted for production at comparatively low cost.

Another object of the invention is to provide a stepladder which includes a step section and a prop section, the step section having steps each of which consists of a pair of spaced rungs which are independently secured to the opposite sides of the step section, the prop section having a shelf pivotally supported thereon and adapted to engage under one of the rungs of the step section when the ladder is opened.

A further object of the invention is to provide a stepladder made up of a step section and a prop section, the prop section having transverse bars or braces which reinforce the ladder and which are so arranged as to be disposed at the same level as the steps when the ladder is opened whereby to adapt the ladder for use as a scaffolding support.

Further and more limited objects of the invention will appear as the description proceeds and by reference to the accompanying drawing in which Fig. 1 is a perspective View of my improved stepladder in the opened position; Fig. 2 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view on the line 22 of Fig. 1 and Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the parts which form the shelf.

Referring now to the drawing, it will be seen that the ladder consists of a step section which is made up of a pair of legs I and 2 and a prop section made up of a pair of legs 3 and 4. Each of the steps of the step section consists of a pair of rungs 5 and 6 which extend transversely of the step section in spaced relation and are held in place at opposite ends thereof by means of suitable screws or nails 1. Secured to the top of the legs I and 2 by nails or screws are a pair of bars 8 and 9 and secured to the bars 8 and 9 in any suitable manner is a platform or seat H1. The legs 3 and 4 of the prop section are pivot ally secured to the bars 8 and 9 as shown. EX- tending transversely of the legs of the prop section are a plurality of transverse bars or braces Ill II and I2 which are so arranged as to be disposed at the same level as the corresponding steps when the ladder is opened. Carried by the prop section is a shelf which is made up of a pair of slotted bars 13 and M the outer ends of which are slotted as shown at [5 and I6 and the inner ends of which are notched as shown at IT and I8. Disposed between the bars I3 and I4 1938, Serial No. 214,024

is the shelf proper which consists of a platform I9 the opposite edges of which engage in the slots I5 and I6. Extending transversely of the prop section and disposed at the rear edge oi. the platform I9 is a rung 20 the ends of which project through the slots l5 and I 6 and engage in circular openings provided in the legs 3 and 4. The rung 29 provides a pivotal support for the shelf. When the ladder is opened to the position shown in Fig. 1 the notches I1 and I8 engage the top rung 6 of the step section. The platform i9 is secured in the slots l5 and I6 by suitable nails or screws 22. In order to limit the movement of the prop section with respect to the step section I provide a suitable chain 23 one end of which is connected to one of the rungs 6 and the other end of which is connected to the rung I2 of the prop section.

It will now be clear that I have provided a stepladder which will accomplish the objects of the invention as hereinbefore stated. One of the features of the invention is the step section having steps made up of a pair of spaced rungs which are independently secured to the legs which serves to provide a stronger ladder and to limit side sway. The rungs which form the step section may be secured in place and held against rotation by any suitable means such as a screw or wedge or by suitable glue or cement. The particular arrangement of the shelf provides a stronger support and prevents splitting of the platform should a heavyweight be placed thereon.

It is to be understood that the embodiment of the invention herein disclosed is to be considered merely illustrative and not in a limiting sense and various changes may be made in the construction without departing from the spirit of my invention as the invention is limited only in accordance with the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. A stepladder comprising a step section and a prop section hingedly secured thereto, a plurality of steps on said step section, each step consisting of a pair of spaced rungs independently secured to the opposite sides of said step section, a shelf pivotally secured to said prop section and comprising a pair of slotted arms,

a platform having the opposite edges thereof engaged in said slotted arms and also having a fixed rung thereon extending through said slotted arms and pivotally secured to the opposite sides ofsaid prop section, the ends of said arms being notched and disposed so as to engage un- F der one of the rungs of said step section when the shelf is moved to a horizontal position.

2. In a stepladder having a step section having a plurality of steps thereon and a prop section, a shelf carried by said prop section and consisting of a pair of slotted arms, a platform disposed between said pair of arms and having the outer side edges thereof engaged in the slotted portions of said arms, respectively, a rung fixed to the rear edge of said platform and extending through the slotted portions of said arms and pivotally secured to opposite sides of said prop section, the ends of said arms being disposed so as to engage under one of said steps when the shelf is moved to supporting position.

JOHN H. LIGON. 

